Patent application title: SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER LINE BASED SERVICES

Abstract:

A system and method for adjusting digital subscriber line based services
is provided. In a particular embodiment, a computer readable medium is
provided including computer-executable instructions that when executed,
cause a computer to modify a value of a first control parameter
associated with a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) network based on a first
performance parameter that is measured in real-time at a DSL modem over a
first pre-determined time period.

Claims:

1. A computer readable medium including computer-executable instructions
that when executed, cause a computer to:modify a value of a first control
parameter associated with a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) network based
on a first performance parameter;wherein the first performance parameter
is measured in real-time at a DSL modem over a first pre-determined time
period.

2. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the first performance
parameter data is measured in real-time over the first pre-determined
time period to promote statistical confidence in the first performance
parameter.

3. The computer readable medium of claim 1, further comprising
computer-executable instructions that when executed, cause the computer
to:modify the value of the first control parameter associated with the
DSL network based on a second performance parameter; whereinthe second
performance parameter is measured in real-time at the DSL modem over a
second pre-determined time period.

4. The computer readable medium of claim 3, wherein the first
pre-determined time period and the second pre-determined time period are
substantially the same.

5. The computer readable medium of claim 3, further comprising
computer-executable instructions that when executed, cause the computer
to modify a value of a second control parameter associated with the DSL
network based on the second performance parameter.

6. The computer readable medium of claim 3, wherein the second performance
parameter is measured in real-time over the second pre-determined time
period to promote statistical confidence in the second performance
parameter.

7. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the DSL modem
associated with the DSL network is located at a central office, and
wherein the first performance parameter is measured at the central
office.

8. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the DSL modem
associated with the DSL network is located at a residence, and wherein
the first performance parameter is measured at the residence.

9. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein measured values of the
first performance parameter are communicated to a secure website.

10. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein measured values of
the first performance parameter are communicated to a secure computer via
a secure network connection.

11. A method of modifying a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) network, the
method comprising adjusting a control parameter value associated with the
DSL network based at least in part on a performance parameter associated
with a DSL circuit of the DSL network, wherein the performance parameter
is measured in real-time at a DSL modem over a predetermined period of
time.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the performance parameter is measured
in real-time over the first pre-determined time period to promote
statistical confidence in the performance parameter.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the performance parameter comprises a
measure of layer 2 activity and layer 3 activity on the DSL circuit.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:determining that usage of
the DSL circuit is below a threshold, wherein the determination is based
at least partially upon the performance parameter; andadjusting the
control parameter value in response to the determination.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising, in response to the
determination that the usage of the DSL circuit is below a threshold,
initiating a first re-provisioning cycle between a first termination unit
coupled to the DSL circuit and a second termination unit coupled to the
DSL circuit.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first termination unit comprises a
first DSL modem situated at a central office and the second termination
unit comprises a second DSL modem situated at a residence.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising:determining, based at least
in part on the performance parameter, whether operation of the DSL
circuit is within an acceptable operating range; andmodifying the control
parameter value after determining that the operation of the DSL circuit
is not within the acceptable operating range.

18. A Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) network comprising:a computer adapted
to execute a computer program to modify a control parameter associated
with a DSL channel of the DSL network;wherein the control parameter
modification is based at least in part on a performance parameter
associated with the DSL network;wherein the performance parameter is
measured in real-time at a DSL device over a predetermined time period.

19. The DSL network of claim 18, wherein the computer is further adapted
to analyze measurements of the performance parameter to promote
statistical confidence of the performance parameter.

20. The DSL network of claim 18, wherein the control parameter is a
forward error correction control parameter.

Description:

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

[0001]The present application claims priority from and is a continuation
of patent application Ser. No. 10/958,631 filed on Oct. 5, 2004 and
entitled "System and Method for Optimizing Digital Subscriber Line Based
Services," the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety.

[0003]Digital subscriber line (DSL) has quickly emerged as a high quality
solution for high speed Internet access and other services associated
with high speed Internet services, such as, voice over Internet protocol
(VoIP) and streaming video services. DSL can transmit both voice and data
simultaneously over an existing, single copper pair up to 18,000 feet
long. Since DSL can utilize existing copper telephone lines, the service
costs associated with DSL is relatively low for service providers and for
customers. Moreover, since data can be transmitted relatively quickly
using DSL, it is a very attractive option for providing high-speed access
to end users.

[0004]Traditional plain old telephone service (POTS) uses a narrow 4-kHz
baseband frequency to transmit analog voice signals, and current modem
technology can achieve a data transmission rate of up to 56 kb/s. DSL,
e.g., asymmetric DSL (ADSL), can increase the usable frequency range from
4 kHz to 1.1 MHz and can provide a data transmission rate up to 8 Mb/s.
Further, frequency division multiplexing (FDM) can allow ADSL to create
multiple frequency bands that can be used to carry data simultaneously
with POTS signals over the same copper pair. The lower 4-kHz frequency
range is reserved for POTS, the middle frequency band is used to transmit
upstream data and the larger, higher frequency band is used to transmit
downstream data.

[0005]Discrete multi-tone (DMT) modulation is the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI) standard T1.413 line code. DMT modulation is
used to divide the data bandwidth into 256 subchannels, or tones, that
range from 20 kHz to 1.1 MHz for ADSL. Upstream data transfer frequencies
range from 20 kHz to 160 kHz and downstream data transfer frequencies
range from 240 kHz to 1.1 MHz. The remaining tones are used as guard
bands for dividing the three frequency bands, and one pilot tone is used
in each data stream, both upstream and downstream, for timing purposes.
Each tone, or channel, has a spacing of 4.3 kHz and each tone supports a
maximum number of 15 bits, which is limited by the signal-to-noise ratio
on the channel. Since the tones in the higher frequencies are subject to
higher attenuation and noise, the number of bits per tone can be fewer
than that in the lower frequencies.

[0006]In addition to the normal data bits, an embedded operations channel
(EOC) is provided as part of the ADSL protocol for communication between
the ATU-C and the ATU-R to provide in-service and out-of-service
maintenance, to retrieve a limited amount of ATU-R status information,
and to monitor ADSL performance.

[0007]Typically, the optimization of the data transmission channels used
for DSL data transport, e.g., VoIP and video, is largely ignored due to
technical and economic factors. Without optimization, DSL circuits are
either over-engineered or under-engineered for performance. Over
engineered circuits operate at sub-optimum rates and deliver less
performance to the customer. Under-engineered circuits experience
frequent data errors that result in increased peer-to-peer communications
required to perform re-transmissions of data packets. This yields a
reduced throughput to the customer. Some under-engineered circuits
experience error rates severe enough to cause service interruption or the
inability to establish the data channel when initially requested by the
customer.

[0008]Accordingly, there is a need for a system and method for adjusting
digital subscriber line based services.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]The present invention is pointed out with particularity in the
appended claims. However, other features are described in the following
detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in
which:

[0011]FIG. 2 is a flow chart to illustrate an exemplary method for
adjusting a DSL network.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]In a particular embodiment, a computer readable medium is provided,
and includes computer-executable instructions that when executed, cause a
computer to modify a value of a first control parameter associated with a
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) network based on a first performance
parameter that is measured in real-time at a DSL modem over a first
pre-determined time period.

[0013]In another particular embodiment, a method of modifying a Digital
Subscriber Line (DSL) network is provided. The method includes adjusting
a control parameter value associated with the DSL network based at least
in part on a performance parameter associated with a DSL circuit of the
DSL network. The performance parameter is measured in real-time at a DSL
modem over a predetermined period of time.

[0014]In another particular embodiment, a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
network is provided and includes a computer adapted to execute a computer
program to modify a control parameter associated with a DSL channel of
the DSL network. The control parameter modification is based at least in
part on a performance parameter associated with the DSL network. The
performance parameter is measured in real-time at a DSL device over a
predetermined time period.

[0015]In another particular embodiment, a method is provided that can be
used for modifying a control parameter associated with a Digital
Subscriber Line (DSL) service. Initially, a real-time performance
parameter is received from a first termination unit that is coupled to a
DSL circuit. The real-time performance parameter can be measured at the
termination unit after the termination unit is provisioned and after the
DSL circuit is placed in-service. In a particular embodiment, a value of
a control parameter associated with the DSL circuit can be modified based
on the measured real-time performance parameter.

[0016]In another particular embodiment, activity over the DSL circuit is
monitored in real-time. Further, a determination is made to ascertain
when usage of the DSL circuit is below a threshold. The provisionable
service parameter corresponding to the control parameter can be modified
when the usage is below the threshold. In still another particular
embodiment, a first re-provisioning cycle between a first termination
unit and a second termination unit coupled to the DSL circuit can be
initiated using the provisionable service parameter. In yet another
particular embodiment, the first termination device is a DSL modem and
the second termination device is a DSL modem.

[0017]Also, in another particular embodiment, a determination is made in
order to determine whether operation of the DSL circuit is within an
acceptable operating range. The provisionable service parameter is
modified after determining that the operation of the DSL circuit is not
within the acceptable operating range. Further, performance data of the
termination unit is monitored and a determination is made in order to
ascertain whether operation of the DSL circuit is stable based on the
monitored performance data.

[0018]In another embodiment, a digital subscriber line (DSL) network is
provided and includes a first modem at a central office and a second
modem at a remote site. A DSL channel is established between the first
modem and the second modem. Further, a computer communicates with the
first modem and the second modem. The computer includes a program for
modifying a provisionable service parameter associated with the DSL
channel based on measured in-service performance parameters received from
the first modem or the second modem.

[0019]In yet another embodiment, a method for modifying a data network is
provided and includes provisioning a data circuit within the data network
with a first set of provisioning parameters. Thereafter, a first set of
in-service performance data is acquired from a terminating unit coupled
to the data circuit. A second set of provisioning parameters is
determined based on the first set of performance data. The data circuit
can be re-provisioned with the second set of provisioning parameters.

[0020]Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a DSL
network is shown and is generally designated 100. In a particular
embodiment, the DSL network can be an ADSL network, an ADSL 2 network, an
ADSL 2+ network, or a very high data rate DSL (VDSL) network. As
illustrated in FIG. 1, the DSL network 100 includes a central office (CO)
102 in which a DSL access multiplexer (DSLAM) 104 can be located. A first
central DSL modem 106 and a second central DSL modem 108 are located in
the CO 102. In the case in which the DSL network is an ADSL network, each
DSL modem in the CO 102 can be an ADSL terminating unit--central office
(ATU-C). In a particular embodiment, the first DSL modem 106 and the
second DSL modem 108 are installed in the DSLAM 104.

[0021]In an illustrative embodiment, a layer 2/layer 3 switch 110 is
connected to the first DSL MODEM 106 and a router 112 is connected to the
second DSL MODEM 108. In a particular embodiment, the layer 2/layer 3
switch 100 is an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch or an Ethernet
switch. As shown, the layer 2/layer 3 switch 110 and the router 112 are
connected to a data network 114, e.g., the Internet. As such, in a
particular embodiment, the layer 2/layer 3 switch 110 and the router 112
provide data network connectivity to the first DSL MODEM 106 and the
second DSL MODEM 108. In an illustrative embodiment, an Internet service
provider (ISP) 116 is connected to the data network 114. Moreover, a
corporate network 118 is connected to the data network 114. For
simplicity, only one ISP 116 and only one corporate network 118 is shown
connected to the data network 114, but any number of ISPs and any number
of corporate networks 118 can be connected to the data network 114.

[0022]FIG. 1 further shows that the CO 102 includes a plain old telephone
service (POTS) splitter 120 that can be connected to the first DSL MODEM
106 and the second DSL MODEM 108. Also, a main distribution frame (MDF)
122 is connected to the POTS splitter 120. A POTS switch 124 can be
connected to the POTS splitter 120 in order to switch incoming telephone
calls received at the CO 102. Additionally, the CO 102 includes a
managing computer 126 that can be connected to the DSLAM 104. In a
particular embodiment, the managing computer 126 can be used to manage
the DSL network 100 and to enhance or optimize the performance of the DSL
network 100.

[0023]As depicted in FIG. 1, the DSL network 100 can connect to a customer
residence 128 in which a first computer 130 and a second computer 132 are
located. FIG. 1 also shows a first telephone 134 and a second telephone
136 that are located in the customer residence 128. As shown in FIG. 1,
the first computer 130 and the second computer 132 are connected to a
remote DSL modem 138. In the case that the DSL network 100 is an ADSL
network the remote DSL modem 138 can be an ADSL terminating unit--remote
(ATU-R). The remote DSL modem 138 is connected to a remote POTS splitter
140 that, in turn, is connected to the MDF 122. Accordingly, either the
first central DSL modem 106 or the second central DSL modem 108 can
communicate with the remote DSL modem 138 via the POTS splitter 120, the
MDF 122, and the remote POTS splitter 140 in order to provide network
connectivity to the computers 130, 132.

[0024]FIG. 1 shows that the telephones 134, 136 are also connected to the
remote POTS splitter 140. Telephone calls made by the telephones 134, 136
can be routed to the POTS switch 124 at the CO 102 via the remote POTS
splitter 140, the MDF 122, and the POTS splitter 120. In the exemplary,
non-limiting embodiment of the DSL network 100 shown in FIG. 1, two
computers 130, 132 and two telephones 134, 136 are illustrated, but any
number of computers and telephones can be located in the customer
residence 128 and connected to the CO 102.

[0025]FIG. 1 illustrates that the DSL network 100 can further include a
customer business 142 in which a first computer 144 and a second computer
146 are located. A first telephone 148 and a second telephone 150 can
also be located in the customer business 142. As shown in FIG. 1, the
first computer 144 and the second computer 146 are connected to remote
DSL modem 152. In a particular embodiment, the remote DSL modem 152 is
connected to a remote POTS splitter 154 that, in turn, is connected to
the MDF 122. Accordingly, either the first central DSL modem 106 or the
second central DSL modem 108 can communicate with the remote DSL modem
152 via the POTS splitter 120 within the CO 102, the MDF 122, and the
remote POTS splitter 154 in order to provide network connectivity to the
business computers 144, 146.

[0026]FIG. 1 shows that the business telephones 148, 150 are also
connected to the remote POTS splitter 154. Telephone calls made by the
telephones 148, 150 can be routed to the POTS switch 124 located at the
CO 102 via the remote POTS splitter 154, the MDF 122, and the CO POTS
splitter 120. In an illustrative embodiment, two business computers 144,
146 and two business telephones 148, 150 are illustrated, but any number
of business computers and business telephones can be located in the
customer business 142 and connected to the CO 102.

[0027]In a particular embodiment, data can be transmitted over the DSL
network 100 using transmission control protocol/Internet protocol
(TCP/IP), file transfer protocol (FTP) (e.g., for large files), user
datagram protocol (UDP) (e.g., for VoIP and streaming video), or
real-time transport protocol (RTP) (e.g., for streaming video files or
streaming audio files). As such, the protocol used is an indirect user of
the physical layer of the DSL network 100. In order to provide peak DSL
service, and peak protocol throughput, using the DSL network 100, the
physical layer of the DSL network 100 can have its performance enhanced
or optimized. In other words, the circuits in the DSL network 100 that
are established between the CO 102 and the customer residence 128 can be
enhanced or optimized. Optimization is a process of finding and
establishing optimal values for provisionable data communications
parameters. Once a circuit is optimized, it can provide optimum or near
optimum DSL service regardless of the operating conditions.

[0028]In an illustrative embodiment, DSL performance is dominated by two
major factors: 1) insertion loss caused by the transmission cable
connecting the DSL modems; and 2) electronic noise that reduces the
signal to noise ratio at the modem receivers. The electronic noise
generally includes a relatively predictable amount of random noise and
intermittent noise known as impulse noise. Construction and service
records can provide information about the transmission channel loop from
which the insertion loss can be ascertained. However, both components of
the noise on the channel are unknown. Typically, a service provider does
not measure the noise on its circuits before a sale is made to a
customer, nor does the service provider typically have accurate
information about expected or anticipated noise levels on the data
communication circuit that will be used by a customer. Loss and noise
could be measured prior to circuit provisioning, but the costs associated
with such a project could be overly expensive.

[0029]In a particular embodiment, the information necessary to enhance or
optimize the circuits in the DSL network 100 is available, but only after
the circuits have been provisioned, service has been activated, and after
the service is in use by one or more customers.

[0030]Referring now to FIG. 2, a method for enhancing or optimizing a DSL
network is shown. In a particular embodiment, the method can be used to
optimize the DSL network 100 shown in FIG. 1. During execution of the
method, several measurements are taken, recorded, and analyzed for the
DSL network 100 to promote statistical confidence. These performance
parameters can be used to affect the settings of one or more control
parameters. In an illustrative embodiment, the performance parameters
that can be measured during the optimization of the DSL network are shown
in Table 1. Further, the control parameters are shown in Table 2.

TABLE-US-00001
TABLE 1
Exemplary, Non-limiting DSL Performance Parameters.
Performance Parameter Description
NMR The Noise Margin Ratio measured upstream and
downstream.
Max Bit Rate The maximum data rate the channel can support (assessed
by an DSL modem).
Net Rate (Actual Rate) The bit rate currently available to the customer.
QLN[n] The Quiet Line Noise measured during a brief period, e.g.,
less than two minutes for each DSL DMT.
Hlog[n] The insertion loss of the DSL channel measured for each
DSL DMT.
CV[t] A times series of counts of Code Violations (CV) wherein
each CV represents a data packet that could not be corrected
by the channel's provisioned forward-error-control
parameters;
ES[t] A time series of counts of Errored Seconds (ES) wherein
each ES is a one second interval during which one to M CVs
are observed and wherein M is a value set in DSL standards.
SES[t] A time series of counts of Severely Errored Seconds (SES)
wherein each SES is a one second interval during which
greater than M CVs are observed.
SYMu[t] A count during a fifteen minute interval of the number of
user data packets sent and received over the DSL channel.
SYMd[t] A count during a fifteen minute interval of the number of
overhead data packets sent and received over the DSL
channel.
Power The transmission power of the data signal.
PSD[n] The power spectral density of the data signal.
Freq range The tone indices of the DSL DMT.
MSE[n] The noise over the channel when the DSL modem is
operating.
SNR[n] The signal to noise ratio for each tone.
B[n] The total bits for each tone.
G[n] The gain for each tone.
Dual Path On? Fast, Interleaved on/off
Forward Error Correction The information added to the data transmitted
over the DSL
channel in order to account for any bits that are corrupted
during transmission. The FEC parameters can include:
N, which is the Reed Solomon codeword length;
P, which is the Parity bytes/codeword (4 bits);
D, which is the Interleave depth (6 bits); and
S, which is the DMT symbols/codeword.
Trellis On? An indication of whether Trellis coding is on or off.
ATTNDR The attainable rate for the DSL channel.
Code violations One or more code violations for the DSL channel, e.g.,
cyclic redundancy check (CRC), errored second (ES),
forward error correction (FEC), etc.
Attenuation The difference between the total maximum transmitted
power at one end of the DSL channel and the total power
received at the remote end of the DSL channel, e.g., loop
attenuation as specified in International
Telecommunications Union (ITU) Standard G.992.3
Margin The margin available to accommodate increases losses on
the DSL channel, e.g., due to temperature changes, physical
aging of equipment, physical aging of copper lines, etc.

TABLE-US-00002
TABLE 2
Exemplary, Non-limiting Control Parameters.
Control Parameter Description
Power The transmission power of the data signal.
PSD The power spectral density of the data signal.
ADDNMR The additional noise margin and signal noise ratio.
MAXSNRM The maximum noise margin and signal noise ratio.
TARSNRM The target noise margin and signal ratio.
Dual Paths The ability to use two data transmission paths.
Forward The controls used to account for any bits that are
Error Correction corrupted during transmission. The FEC
(FEC) controls controls can include:
N, which is the Reed Solomon codeword length;
P, which is the Parity bytes/codeword;
D, which is the Interleave depth (6 bits); and
S, which is the DMT symbols/codeword.
Data rate The upstream and downstream data transmission rate.

[0031]At block 200, an DSL circuit, i.e., a connection between one of the
DSL modems 106, 108 (FIG. 1) at the CO 102 and a user computer is brought
on-line in an over-engineered state, i.e., in optimal conditions. This
provides that the DSL service to the customer computer is established. At
block 202, the performance parameters are measured in real-time at each
DSL modem, e.g., the DSL modem at the CO and the DSL modem at the
residence, and stored. In a particular embodiment, QLN is measured during
a brief period, e.g., less than two minutes. Moreover, in a particular
embodiment, CV[t], ES[t], SES[t], SYMu[t] and SYMd[t] are measured in
real-time during an observation time period Tobs. In an illustrative
embodiment, Tobs is approximately fifteen minutes. Further, in a
particular embodiment the performance parameters can include dynamic
spectrum management (DSM) data. Additionally, in a particular embodiment,
the performance parameters can be measured and stored multiple times over
a predetermined time period, e.g., every 8 hours for twenty four hours,
in order to promote statistical confidence.

[0032]In a particular embodiment, to optimize the portion of the DSL
circuit transmitting data to a user computer, each of these measurements
may be measured by an DSL modem at a user residence. Also, in a
particular embodiment, the measurements may be taken by a DSL modem at
the CO 102 (FIG. 1) in order to optimize the portion of the DSL circuit
transmitting data from the user computer to the DSL modem at the CO 102
(FIG. 1). Moreover, once measured, the values can be communicated by the
DSL modem at the residence 128 (FIG. 1) or one of the DSL modems 106, 108
(FIG. 1) at the CO 102 (FIG. 1) to a secure website or a secure computer
via a secure network connection.

[0033]Proceeding to block 204, the performance parameters measured in step
202 are analyzed in order to make a number of determinations. In an
illustrative embodiment, the maximum attainable bit rate is determined,
e.g., by a reported value from the ATU-C or the ATU-R. Moreover, the loop
length can be estimated based in part on the HLOG[n] values for the
upstream portion of the DSL channel. In a particular embodiment,
excessive power levels can be detected. Further, any cross talk, any
white noise, and any non-linear echoes can be detected based on patterns
observed in the empirical data collected per tone. For example, cross
talk can be determined in part based on the QLN[n] values measured above.
In a particular embodiment, the source of white noise or cross talk can
be determined based on the "finger prints" of the different sources of
the white noise. The "finger prints" of the sources of the white noise
can be empirically determined and can include carrier tones or
frequencies associated with the sources of the white noise or cross talk.
The sources of the white noise or cross talk can include, for example,
amplitude modulation (AM) radio interference, HAM radio interference,
ionosphere interference that can depend on a time of day, and T-carrier
interference.

[0034]In a particular embodiment, the presence and location of bridged
taps, the presence of bad splices, the presence of bad grounds, and the
presence of bad bonds can be determined based in part on the values of
the performance parameters measured above. Additionally, an inadequately
filtered inside wire at a customer location, the presence of a
maintenance test unit, and the presence of an alarm system on an DSL line
can be determined based in part on the values performance parameters
measured above.

[0035]At block 206, one or more of the control parameters, shown in Table
2, are automatically adjusted to account for any observed deficiencies
based on the collected values of the performance parameters. For example,
in a particular embodiment, the data rates can be adjusted to maximize
service performance. Power and noise margin settings can be adjusted. PSD
masks are adjusted to limit cross talk on the DSL channel. Further, the
forward error correction (FEC) controls and interleaved settings can be
adjusted to optimize TCP/IP performance and minimize signal latency in
the presence of impulse noise. Proceeding to block 208, the existences of
any physical problems that may require the attention of service person
are indicated, e.g., to the customer or a service person. The physical
problems can include one or more bridged taps, one or bad wire bonds, one
or more bad grounds, one or more bad splices, one or more line filtering
problems, and may require the attention of a service person in order to
correct the problem.

[0036]Moving to block 210, layer 2 and layer 3 activity on the DSL circuit
is monitored in real-time. (Layer 2 and layer 3 are based on the OSI
seven-layer model of networking.) At step 212, a decision is made in
order to determine when usage of the DSL circuit is at a minimum. If the
usage is not at a minimum, the logic returns to block 210 and the
activity on the DSL circuit continues to be monitored. On the other hand,
when the usage is at a minimum, the logic proceeds to block 214 and
communication is established between the ATU-C and the ATU-R. At block
216, the line provisioning parameters are modified based on the data
collected and analyzed above. In a particular embodiment, the line
provision parameters are modified based on the adjusted control
parameters. Moving to block 218, a re-training cycle is forced between
the ATU-R and the ATU-C. Then, the ATU-R and the ATU-C are monitored in
real-time, at block 220. Proceeding to step 222, a determination is made
in order to ascertain whether service over the DSL circuit is restored.
If service is not restored, the logic returns to block 218 and another
re-training cycle is forced between the ATU-C and the ATU-R and continues
as previously described. If service is restored, the logic continues to
step 224.

[0037]At step 224, a decision is made in order to determine whether
operation of the DSL circuit is within a normal operating range. If the
operation is not within the normal operating range, the logic returns to
block 218 and continues as previously described. Conversely, if the
operation of the ADLS circuit is within the normal operating range, the
logic moves to block 226 where the ATU-R and the ATU-C are monitored.
Specifically, in a particular embodiment, performance data for the ATU-R
and the ATU-C is monitored. At step 228, a determination is made in order
to determine if the operation of the DSL circuit is stable. If not, the
logic returns to step 200 and the DSL circuit is re-optimized using the
steps previously described. If the operation of the DSL circuit is
stable, the logic ends at state 230.

[0038]In a particular embodiment, the method can be repeated iteratively
for each new DSL line until each new DSL line reaches an acceptable state
of performance. Moreover, each line can be managed using a state machine
translation table that incorporates the performance parameters and
control parameters shown in Table 1 and Table 2.

[0039]With the configuration of structure described above, the system and
method for optimizing DSL data service provides a method to improve and
preferably to ensure optimal performance of individual circuits of an DSL
network based on numerous parameters measured in real-time. In an
illustrative embodiment, each DSL circuit can be optimized many times
over the life of the DSL circuit. For example, each DSL circuit can be
optimized on a predetermined schedule, e.g., once a week, twice a week,
once a month, twice a month, once every two months, once every six
months, once a year, etc. Also, the DSL circuit can be monitored and when
the operation of the DSL circuit becomes unstable, settings associated
with the DSL circuit can be adjusted or modified to bring the operation
of DSL circuit into a stable state. Further, the DSL circuit can be
optimized when requested by the customer, if the customer believes his or
her DSL service is not functioning properly.

[0040]In a particular embodiment, the entire process can be encapsulated
in a software program that can be executed by a computer connected to the
DSL network, e.g., the central office computer 126. The central office
computer 126 can interface with the ATU-Cs and the ATU-Rs, or their
respective agents, in order to obtain performance data, extract
provisioning data, implant provisioning data, and control the circuit
provisioning in order to provide optimum performance of each DSL circuit.

[0041]The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative,
and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all
such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall
within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, to the
maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to
be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following
claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by
the foregoing detailed description.